Jamaica experienced the full impact of Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as the storm etched itself into regional history as the most powerful system recorded in 174 years of observation. The tempest made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, packing sustained winds of 282 kilometers per hour and destructive gusts reaching 345 kilometers per hour. Atmospheric pressure dropped to a critical 892 hectopascals, coinciding with a significant storm surge that elevated water levels four meters above normal. The resulting rainfall, measuring 750 liters per square meter, triggered widespread flooding and dangerous landslides across the island’s interior landscapes.
The immediate human toll included seven confirmed fatalities in Jamaica, with additional tragic losses reported in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, highlighting the shared vulnerability across the Caribbean basin. In response to the massive displacement, Jamaican authorities swiftly established 800 temporary shelters. Despite these provisions, a notable trend emerged where a significant number of residents chose to remain on their properties rather than evacuate, demonstrating a deep-seated commitment to their homes even when facing extreme danger.
Experts are currently analyzing Hurricane Melissa as a crucial case study, particularly focusing on its alarming speed of intensification. Climatologist Fabio D'Andrea, Director of the Geosciences Department at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in France, noted that the storm escalated from Category 3 to Category 5 in just a few hours. This rapid escalation severely limited the time available for accurate forecasting and preparation. D'Andrea linked the increasing frequency of such extreme weather to broader shifts in global climate patterns, noting that while high-intensity hurricanes are not unprecedented globally, their current rate of manifestation is concerning.
Further emphasizing the climate equity issue, University of Bristol researcher Leanne Archer pointed out that island nations like Jamaica bear a disproportionate impact from these amplified events, despite their minimal contribution to the drivers of climate change. Following the immediate crisis, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness directed the focus toward long-term recovery. His administration confirmed receiving offers of assistance from numerous international partners, including the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) nations, signaling a comprehensive commitment to relief and reconstruction.
The storm’s trajectory continued northward after striking Jamaica. By Wednesday, October 29, Melissa had moved toward Cuba, with subsequent impacts anticipated for the Bahamas and potentially Bermuda, keeping the entire region on high alert. This event provides a stark quantitative backdrop to the qualitative experience: a recent World Meteorological Organization report indicated a 15% increase in Category 4 and 5 storms in the North Atlantic over the last decade compared to the 1981-2010 average. Studies in the journal Nature Climate Change further suggest that warmer sea surface temperatures are fueling these storms, enabling them to reach peak intensity more rapidly than previously modeled.